Doctors in Ekiti State have been directed by the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), to remove the union’s stickers from their vehicles so as to avoid getting kidnapped as the stickers will make them easy preys following the recent spate of doctors kidnap in the state.
They were also advised the doctors to avoid keeping late nights, night clubs and lay low. Chairman of NMA, Dr. John Akinbote, said he was worried that Ekiti State has become a den of kidnappers while speaking at a press briefing in the state capital, Ado-Ekiti. He called on the state government to harmonise the anti-kidnapping laws in the country.
He appealed to both Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State and the Inspector General of Police, SOlomon Arase as well as appealing to traditional rulers and other stake holders in the state to ensure a “coordinated and proactive security strategy in the state”.
He lashed at the police and the Department of State Services for failing to justice to their duties of protecting the doctors and the public.
“We are disturbed and grossly disappointed by the level of proactive and investigative measures put in place so far by Commissioner of Police Joshua Ibine and DSS Director Duke Fubara.
“The recent incessant threat messages to our members followed the serial cases of abductions involving a nurse, Margaret Akadenika, Dr. Patrick Adegun, his wife, Kikelomo and recently Dr. Femi Omisore of OAU, Ile Ife in various parts of the state.
“It is appalling that several security meetings have yielded little or no result as medical and health workers, lecturers and other citizens still move about in fear.
“We are also advising them to stop moving around at night because these people have the erroneous impression that we receive higher pay and are more profitable targets.
“They have to remove anything that could suggest that they are members of this association since we are the target.
“We have given the names and numbers of those who received kidnap threats to the police and the SSS, but nothing had been done in this regard,” he concluded.
